Easy Traditional Irish Soda Bread with salted Irish Butter and Orange Marmalade

There is nothing simpler to bake than a pan of good old-fashioned Irish Soda Bread. Our Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe is not only in the simplicity of the recipe itself but easy on the budget as most quick loaves of bread are. This recipe is one of my favorites because the children can help mix and pour the batter, and it is delicious.

Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe

The local family restaurant serves an excellent Irish Soda Bread, made with currants or raisins. I prefer a more traditional bread with a buttery crust baked in loaf pans to slice and use as bread for simple sandwiches or as a side dish for hearty stews and creamy soups. It is best served with a good quality salted butter and at breakfast or tea adding a heaping spoonful of orange marmalade is a fantastic treat.

A Brief History of Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread is a traditional quick bread that has become synonymous with Irish cuisine and culture, but its origins are rooted in pragmatism and necessity. The bread’s history dates back to approximately the 1830s, coinciding with the introduction of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to Ireland. Baking soda offered an alternative leavening agent to yeast, which was particularly useful in Ireland due to the country’s climate and the type of flour available. Irish wheat, being soft, was not well-suited for yeast-based breads, which typically require hard wheat to rise properly. The use of baking soda allowed for a quicker and more reliable rise, suitable for the soft wheat varieties.

Irish soda bread was initially embraced for its simplicity and affordability, requiring only a few basic ingredients: flour, baking soda, sour milk (or buttermilk), and salt. This made it accessible even during times of economic hardship, such as the Great Famine of the mid-19th century. The bread could be baked in a variety of settings, from open hearths to more modern ovens, making it a versatile staple in Irish households. Over time, it evolved into a symbol of Irish culture and hospitality, often featuring variations with added ingredients like raisins, nuts, or seeds for flavor. Today, Irish soda bread is celebrated both within Ireland and internationally, especially on St. Patrick’s Day, as a culinary emblem of Irish heritage and tradition.

Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe

You Will Need

3 c all-purpose flour
1/3 c white sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 c buttermilk
1/4 c salted butter, melted

Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F – Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. ( I use a bit of butter)
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Blend egg and buttermilk together in a medium-sized mixing bowl, add liquids excluding butter to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on in pans. Remove bread and wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best texture and flavor. This bread is fantastic with creamy Irish Potato Soup or a hearty beef stew.